A unique amino acid deletion in the chimpanzee Cyclin T1 does not affect Tat trans-activation of HIV.

We have cloned and sequenced the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) cyclin T1 cDNA and performed functional HIV-1 Tat trans-activation studies. A unique codon deletion leading to a deleted asparagine residue in the N-terminal region of the first cyclin domain was discovered. This mutation does not significantly change the trans-activation of HIV-1, suggesting that Tat-Cyclin T1 mediated transcription is not a major barrier to HIV replication in the chimpanzee.